Do you have what it takes? Christchurch joins the Powerade Challenge

Recently, Cantabrians had the chance to compete in the Powerade Challenge a 9km interactive course around picturesque Hagley Park designed for both social and serious runners.

“It’s been such a buzz for us to finally bring the Powerade Challenge to the people of Christchurch,” Jodie Timmins, Powerade Brand Manager said.

We’re proud the event has grown significantly over the past six years and has now extended to the South Island.”

Participants tracked their effort using ‘checkpoints’ along the course

Runners took part as individuals or as a team of mates, family or colleagues. They then took the challenge against other teams in a great opportunity to maintain variety in training, while competing for the top stop on the Powerade Leaderboard.

First starting in 2011, the Powerade Challenge has seen huge success in Auckland and Wellington, and Powerade has now brought the popular running course to Christchurch for the first time.

“The Powerade Challenge is such a fun way to keep active and we were excited to see the local community get involved, and Hagley Park fill with even more runners than usual.” Jodie said.

Participants tracked their effort using ‘checkpoints’ along the course to log their time on the Powerade leader board, which let them compare times with family and friends, claim prizes and hydrate afterwards by receiving a free Powerade on completion of their run.

Participants track their effort using ‘checkpoints’ along the course to log their time on the Powerade leaderboard.

"As partners with Powerade, it’s great to see the Powerade Challenge come down to our neck of the woods. Having variety in your training regime is important and the Powerade Challenge provides a different test – whether you play a winter or summer code,” said Scott Robertson, Crusaders Head Coach.

An exciting new ‘Powerade Challenge Zone’ was activated in the city to help runners register on the spot, so they were setup and ready to run. Participants even had the chance to rub shoulders with some of Christchurch’s favourite rugby heroes.

The Powerade Challenge Zone was activated in the city to help runners register on the spot and educate runners on how it works.

We loved to see our local Cantabrians set the pace, being up first against Auckland and Wellington. It’s been such a fantastic event and our Crusaders unit is proud to support it and support Christchurch,” said Scott.

Runners used a wristband to check-in throughout the course, and this year a new Powerade Challenge mobile app was available so participants could track their runs via their phone.

A new Powerade Challenge mobile app was available so participants could track their runs via their phone.

The Powerade Challenge course is open from the 22nd of May until 2nd July 2017.